Things can't get much worse for detective Jane Tennison. Unceremoniously kicked off the adrenaline-fuelled Flying Squad, she now plies her trade in Gerald Road, a small and sleepy police station in the heart of London's affluent Knightsbridge. It has been far too long between stories and Jane finds herself in an uninteresting place in her life but not for long.  You can always count on one or two grisly murders when Jane is around. This is really typical La Plante style. Starts out slow and builds quite nicely. Loved this book, this character and can't wait for more. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

I am going to be very honest and not try to sugar-coat this review. When I started the book I did not know what to expect. I did not know the author and style of writing to have a formed opinion before hand. 

At the beginning the pace was a bit slow until you get an understanding of people and their backgrounds but this gives you a profile and a heads up in the story. The plot itself is a very good detective story and felt so realistic for me from the small details and descriptions that I felt part of the story, like I was in the same place while action happened. The story with its turns and surprises is a great story to my opinion and I had no difficulty connecting with the characters.

However, the big disadvantage of the book is the ending. All pages are building up for the end, the justice to the murder, the answers, the happy ending… at least that is what you normally expect. Unfortunately, this is not what you get. The ending is abrupt and leaves you with a lot unanswered questions. You do not learn what becomes of the characters, just that the murderer is caught. That left me really unsatisfied and kind of angry, if I can say that, as I really liked the whole book and got such a disappointment at the end...

I am not the biggest fan of Lynda La Plante's writing style - it's a bit blunt for me - (no pun intended) - I am more lyrical waxing and poetic prose, but boy can she write a cracking good story. Not for the fainthearted, Blunt Force is chock full of dodgy characters, murder, drugs, prostitution and screaming ex-wives.

Just when Jane Tennison was getting bored in wealthy Knightsbridge, the brutal killing of Theatrical Agent Charles Foxley takes place right on her patch. This is my first Jane Tennison book (not my first La Plante) and I have never seen Prime Suspect, but it didn't take me long to find out about her previous job (with the Sweeney), why she left and who her friends were. 

The story rattles along - there's also a side story going on related to her time with the Sweeney - and all sorts of interesting minor characters  - Elliott, and Mandy Pilkington to name but two, and plenty of red herrings. I was hoping for a bit of romance and humour. More of the latter than the former - even some of the darker characters have their moments of fun.

We were left hanging with one part at the end, but then I have the feeling that Jane has opened a nest of vipers and we will see them in the next book.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a totally serviceable, ably written police procedural that you will probably enjoy if more traditional police procedurals are your favorite. The level of detail on police practice and procedure is clearly very well-researched and feels accurate. But I’ve been spoiled lately by a lot of great psychological thrillers, and more psychologically oriented, darker police procedurals like the Harry Bosch books. This one to me was traditional to the point of feeling slightly old-fashioned, with more focus on the procedure and police and less focus and perspective on what was motivating the killer.  I find the procedural aspects less interesting to read about and am more into motive and psychology and characters so this was less interesting to me.

This is a book that I might have rather picked up in person and read a few pages of, or have read a chapter sampler first, because I could see from the start that the slower pace and higher level of detail on policing was not going to capture my interest. But again, for anyone who loves that kind of book, this one was well written. If you’re into a more traditional police story, Jane Tennison is a likable and smart  protagonist. But if, like me, you like a faster pace and more psychological thrills, this one may not be as fun for you.

Thanks to Lynda La Plante, NetGalley and Zaffre Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jane Tennison is in her thirties juggling her career which is in a down spiral and her personal life which is stagnant. A grisly murder is the case and the plotting is methodical and detailed as a police procedural. The younger Tennison stories are good but I enjoyed the older more mature character and all of her problems. A solid series.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley and Zaffre for the eARC of this book for free. This review is my honest opinion and strictly voluntary.

I was excited to read Blunt Force as this was my first Lynda La Plante book. Not being familiar with the author I found the book a bit long and thought things could have evolved at a quicker pace.

While I found Blunt Force to be a straightforward “who done it” murder mystery of an entertainment exec with a lot of possible suspects. The storylines slowness with other minor storylines weaved throughout was all over the place for me.

While I liked the main characters Jane and Spencer for the most part. Jane at times was missing the mark for me. The other characters or “suspects” had a wide range of characteristics which was amusing.

I would definitely give another La Plante book a read maybe just not the sixth in a series.

This was my first time reading a Jane Tennison story and I spent some time filling in the gaps. For me the plot unfolded at a pedestrian pace and failed to intrigue me, by the culmination I was indifferent to ‘who done it’. Of merit is the setting in the 1980’s and the author’s portrayal of a male dominated workforce where women fetched the tea and sandwiches. This was subtly expressed but was powerful in its message and the strongest feature of the book. Overall Blunt Force lacked the action and calamity of Widows but thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy.

My first read by this author. I found it quite long and anticlimactic when the murderer was finally revealed. However, I could not stop reading this suspense novel with its great mix of characters.

Jane Tennison is a very engaging character and this book delves into a change in roles. 

I love Lynda LaPlante, but I was disappointed in this. 

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Excellent book by Lunda La Plante, first book I have read by this author and will certainly not be the last.  Enjoyed this thriller enormously and would recommend it to friends and family.  It stars Jane Tennison who starred in the Prime Suspect series, who was dismissed from the Flying Squad to work in a small police station in Knightsbridge and investigates the death of theatrical agent Charlie Foxley.   Could not put this book down!

Another exciting tense thriller by Lynda La Plante.I devoured this book in the series as Inalways do with her books.Highly recommend grab this chilling read.#netgalley#bonniezaffire

This was my first introduction to the Tennison series, although I’ve viewed the television series and also read one of Lynda La Plante’s Anna Travis novels.  Even though this is the sixth book, it was easy to understand the dynamics between the characters and to sense that Jane was troubled, and in trouble, after having been demoted from the Flying Squad in the previous book.  The story of the murder of a theatrical agent, Charles Foxley, is intertwined with Jane’s work on an undercover case, which picks up speed and detail as the reader approaches the end of the book; the first part focuses mainly on the world of actresses and agents and exes surrounding Foxley.  All might have a motive to kill him.  
Blunt Force is a straightforward police procedural, well-written and thorough in its detail of the inner workings of a murder squad, and I liked that traditional approach in this age of psychological thrillers.  Although there is some interest in motive, the author doesn’t dwell on the psychological underpinnings of the crime.  The resolution of both storylines comes from good police work.  I would definitely read another book in this series, and may go back and start at the beginning.

I am grateful to have received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had to keep going back in time in order to realise what a display Blunt Force provides. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides would have been shocked, as the women fight their corners. It's a book which connects with other horrors. To be read with a pencil that keeps things on track.

This is the 6th book in the Tennison series by author Lynda La Plante. I was a big fan of the television series 'Prime Suspect' and have subsequently read many of the Tennison series with the image of Helen Mirren in my mind while doing so. In fact I think that helps me get instantly into the books. Tennison is a tough, determined woman battling to succeed in what has always been a mans world.

In this book Jane Tennison has been moved off the flying squad after committing an unforgivable error and now working in a police station in Knightsbridge, London. A life more subdued than the adrenaline pumped flying squad, Jane is aware her career rise is stalling dealing with petty crime on a daily basis. But police life get more interesting when the brutal murder of Charlie Foxley is discovered, viciously beaten with a cricket bat, dismembered and disembowelled.

Charlie Foxley was a theatrical agent with a lot of powerful friends but unfortunately for him many enemies. Tennison works with her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs to attempt to thwart the killer before he strikes again.

One of the things I enjoy about Lynda La Plante's writing is that she doesn't rush the plot, so you get a good background of the characters. Probably why her books tend to be 450 pages or so rather than 300, a turn off for some readers maybe, but not for me. The story starts fairly slowly but it is worth the build up for the finish. Well plotted, good established characters and lots of sub plots that I feel improve the enjoyment of these books.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and Zaffre for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Loving the series showing a young Jane tennant before prime suspect. Shows a real insight to the life that she led before we knew her. As usual well written and a few surprises and twists that is the norm for all Lynda la Plante novels. Highly recommend onto ky this book but the series so far and this fantastic author.

4 stars

Charles Foxley, an entertainment representative, gets himself killed in a most hideous manner. 

DS Jane Tennison and DS Spencer Gibbs are on the team to ferret out the killer. The problem is that Foxley had many enemies – but no one believes that anyone hated him enough to kill him in such a dramatic way. Obviously, someone is lying. From his drama queen associates at the agency to his wildly histrionic ex-wife, Jane, (they are all in the theater after all...), Spencer and the rest of the team must find this vicious murderer. 

At the same time, both Jane and Spencer are dealing with their transfers to a new station somewhat under a cloud and all the guilt/shame the transfers engender. 

Also a subplot runs through the story about a covert operation in which Jane gets involved.

This is a very convoluted investigation. Just when the police think that they are on to something, another clue arises and takes them in a different direction. They discover that Foxley was not a very likable guy and had his fingers in many pies, some of them not so honorable. The degree of Foxley's ex-wife's problems are revealed to be much more serious than an unpredictable temperament. Jane feels sure that her developing theory of the murder is valid, but the brass is not taking her seriously. 

This is a well written and plotted novel. It started out slowly, but then picked up rather quickly. Ms. La Plante has a very real talent for writing subtle tension in her stories. I wasn't sure about Jane though. Her character seemed a little uneven to me. I liked Spence, even though he had a chip on his shoulder, but fights to overcome it. The author shows her characters to be all too human, complete with warts and all. I appreciate that about her writing. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading her next offer. 

I want to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.

There is no doubt that LaPlante is the fairy godmother of female police procedurals. Before her Jane Tennison, females in crime dramas were either victims or clueless twits who needed their male colleagues to solve the crimes. In this latest novel, Jane has been removed from the Flying Squad for political reasons and finds herself in a wealthy and very boring suburb of London. But just when Jane thinks she’s going to lose her mind to boredom, the body of a man is found in the neighborhood. He has been beaten, dismembered and disemboweled. Looks like Jane’s turn out to pasture has become very interesting.

This was an exciting crime drama that I had a great time reading. The book was very well written and the characters were believable. Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for the eARC.
This is the 6th in the Jane Tennison series.
I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially the fact the murder takes place among tv and movie characters.  The murdered man, an influential agent with many important clients, meets his end in a brutal way: his throat cut and disemboweled.  The first suspect is his ex-wife, who has a history of mental illness.  But it's hard to prove for the team.  A  long, difficult inquiry with many interviews makes for much overtime.
There are some very interesting, strange characters (Mandy Pilkington!),  I liked Spencer, but found Jane surprisingly flat as a character, I couldn't get a handle on her at all, which diminished the enjoyment of the read a bit.

Four stars for Tennison enthusiasts who are eager for the next step in her origin story.  If you are not already a Tennison fan, this may not be the book to begin to learn about the strong, complex, lonely, driven, and compassionate detective she ultimately becomes.  

This long (432 pages), sometimes slow-moving book picks up Tennison after her banishment from the elite Flying Squad.  She is trying to rehabilitate her career in a sleepy police station, where the maximum action seems to be people stealing from Harrods.  Salvation of a sort arrives in the form of the grisly murder of an important theatrical agent, and in the mysterious intentions of her private firearm instructor.  

I enjoyed this book but also found it wearing.  Clothing and furnishings are described in minute and exhausting detail.  There was insufficient suspense in the step-by-step of the police procedure, with its dead-ends and disappointments, because for two-thirds of the book, the major reason I was invested was just Jane's career.  There are legions of characters, most unnecessary, and the pertinent characters get glancing treatment.  

On the plus side, though, there is Jane Tennison.  It's always a pleasure to spend time with Jane.  Here we see her growing lonelier, stronger, seeing the victims whom others overlook.  She makes mistakes and is not always effective, which just stokes the fire inside her.  I believe this is the sixth book of Tennison's origin series.  I look forward to the seventh.  

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.